Do engine block heaters run constantly or start & stop?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
Do engine block heaters run constantly or start & stop?
I have a frost plug type engine block heater. Once it is plugged into the wall outlet, I'm wondering if it runs constantly? Or does it get the coolant up to a certain temp, then shut off for a while and re-start when the coolant temp drops?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 3
From: SW Ohio
All block heaters are on once plugged in unless there is a control unit between the plug and heater element.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
All block heaters are on once plugged in unless there is a control unit between the plug and heater element.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: Concord, NH
All block heaters are on once plugged in unless there is a control unit between the plug and heater element.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
I have my extension cord plugged into a timer that comes on 3 hours before I have to leave for work. It also shuts off 3 hours after I leave just in case I have to leave later or for my days off.
Another forum member did a test and logged data on how the factory block heater works once plugged in. IIRC the factory block heats up to 125 in the first hour and then drops off to around 90 there after.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
Is it bad to leave them plugged in all the time? I work from home and never know when I will use it, so I just leave the Diesel plugged up, where the outlet is, having a timer isn't really an option and the power is controlled by a wall switch inside
-The Great
-The Great
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
Plugging it in and leaving it doesn't hurt. My work truck is plugged in 24/7 when it's cold out because we never know when we need it.
In weather like we are having right now (-20*F) I plug my Ex in when I get home, Nd unplug it when I leave for work. It even stays plugged in when it's warming up in the morning. Usually 15 min or so when it's this cold.
As for the original question, on the excursions, plug it in and it's on.
In weather like we are having right now (-20*F) I plug my Ex in when I get home, Nd unplug it when I leave for work. It even stays plugged in when it's warming up in the morning. Usually 15 min or so when it's this cold.
As for the original question, on the excursions, plug it in and it's on.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
Ya Dave, we are -17* toinght... so it is still plugged in. Just didn't konw if any kind of damage is being caused by being plugged up all the time.
-The Great
-The Great
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Concord, NH
Quite something one need not worry about I wouldn't think
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
I really don't know how many service hrs they usually get, but I've never had one burn out on any of my Fords. I've seen some on Chevys burn out, but they had 250,000 miles on them. A block heater is cheap and easy to replace anyways
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
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Only when you get the electric bill! I use a timer on both my work van/excursion.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
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From: North Dakota
Never heard of that before.
It's just a heating element, running the vehicle shouldn't hurt it even with it plugged in. It can't reach any temps higher than it sees any other time.
Infact, when you first start the engine, it will start moving the warm coolant out of the block and replace it with cold stuff from the radiator. So theoretically, leaving it plugged in during warmup would help it warm up faster.
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
Never heard of that before.
It's just a heating element, running the vehicle shouldn't hurt it even with it plugged in. It can't reach any temps higher than it sees any other time.
Infact, when you first start the engine, it will start moving the warm coolant out of the block and replace it with cold stuff from the radiator. So theoretically, leaving it plugged in during warmup would help it warm up faster.
It's just a heating element, running the vehicle shouldn't hurt it even with it plugged in. It can't reach any temps higher than it sees any other time.
Infact, when you first start the engine, it will start moving the warm coolant out of the block and replace it with cold stuff from the radiator. So theoretically, leaving it plugged in during warmup would help it warm up faster.
If there was air in your coolant system, that element could burn out!